High School Football Tour: Breakers looking to build off of last year’s explosive start

EDITOR’S NOTE: Herald sports writer John Devine has spent most of this month visiting Monterey County schools to get a sneak peek of their football teams. This and other previews are available at www.montereyherald.com

PACIFIC GROVE – Six weeks into last fall, Pacific Grove High was just one of the two football teams in the Pacific Coast Athletic League that were still undefeated.

Of course, the six teams the Breakers had beaten weren’t among the area’s elite. Just one of those opponents would go on to post a winning record. Yet, two of the teams the Breakers knocked off were a combined 17-4 the year before. Another victory came against a program that put up 56 points on them in 2022. And yet, another win was against a program that didn’t lose another game until the playoffs.

“I would like to think we’re getting a little better each year,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “Even as our enrollment shrinks, the numbers in the program keep going up a little. Even if it’s two kids, over the course of five years it makes a difference.”

As is often the case with a program that lacks depth, injuries began to creep up on Pacific Grove as it faced the meat of its schedule in the second half of the season. So after starting 6-0, the Breakers went 1-3 the rest of the way.

Pacific Grove quarterback Brody Edmonds gets off a pass during a recent practice. (John Devine — Monterey Herald)

A member of the Cypress Division in 2022, Pacific Grove was moved into the Mission Division South in 2023 where, with just 550 students, they were the smallest school in the division.  The result was a pair of humbling losses to two playoff-bound teams with enrollments over 2,500 kids and a ninth straight loss to long-time rival Carmel.

“I do look back at what went wrong,” tailback Gideon Llantero said. “I’ve watched a lot of film. I want to see how we can improve our play on the field.”

As Pacific Grove’s enrollment continues to dip and football is not a priority for several multi-sport athletes on the roster, depth again is an issue.

However, last year’s start created a buzz on campus, making the sport relevant when often the attention swirls around other sports.

“I think over the course of a season, when you have positive outcomes, it spreads to the school,” Gray said. “The kids that aren’t playing tend to gravitate to wanting to be a part of it.”

That in turn has given Gray a few more athletes to put on the field this fall. Still, he’s dealing with multi-sport athletes who share their summers playing on travel basketball and baseball teams.

The inability to get everyone in the building at the same time over the summer squashes participation in 7-on-7 passing leagues.

“The turnout in the weight room was good,” Gray said. “But it’s tough to put in a package for 7s. With our type of program, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to rush into that.”

Gray has kept to the script that he believes gets his players prepared for the start of league and that’s finding nonleague opponents similar to his squad’s talents.

Adding an “A” league opponent in Alvarez is a sign of the maturation process. Gray believes his schedule provides an outlook, one that he believes builds confidence and momentum.

“We upgraded a little because we believe we can at least compete,” Gray said. “What we want out of the preseason is to be competitive and prepared when league rolls around.”

While juggling quarterbacks last year wasn’t ideal, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Gray will repeat the feat this fall.

Both Nathaniel Wade and Brody Edmonds alternated behind center with success, as they have different styles that can cause defenses headaches.

“Brody has a little more whip in getting the ball to receivers,” Gray said. “Nathaniel is a little more refined in running the offense. Both are just good athletes.”

Wade didn’t throw a pick in 65 attempts last season, finishing with 670 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging nearly 17 yards a completion.

Edmonds can also wing it, throwing for 500 yards and five touchdowns. His versatility, though, makes him a threat to take off and run.

“I hoped one would escape the pack,” Gray said. “It still might turn out that way. It’s possible it might end up being the same scenario.”

As effective as the passing game was with the pair rotating in and out, grinding the ball on the ground has been Gray’s makeup, as it chews up the clock and keeps his defense fresh in the second half.

Execution and discipline are traits that are required in the Breakers’ system. Clearly, it doesn’t hurt having a tailback with a burst in Llantero.

Brought up two years ago as a sophomore, Llantero had a breakout season last fall, rushing for just under 800 yards and 12 touchdowns — 19 total — in eight full games.

“I’ve spent time in the weight room, trying to get stronger to withstand the punishment,” Llantero said. “I ran track in the spring to improve my speed.”

Four times the versatile Llantero rushed for over 100 yards, while becoming a threat out of the backfield as a receiver as well, catching six touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for six.

“He’s been a team leader over the summer,” Gray said. “Gideon had a great summer. He’s put on some muscle.”

The running back position – arguably the most important at Pacific Grove – is deep with the emergence of Flynn Ryan and Garrett Kuska. Llantero, though, is a game-changer.

“He’s (Llantero) deceptive inside,” Gray said. “He’s not going to bowl you over. But he will put his shoulder down. Just as he’s about to get hit, he knows when to slip away. He knows when to cut on sweeps.”

Stability on the offensive line starts with center Ryton Harrison, who will double as a linebacker on the Breakers’ defense.

“Ryton put on 20 pounds of muscle,” Gray said. “He’ll be a two-way player for us. He’s a really good leader, very dedicated to the program.”

Llantero could also be ticketed as a pass-rushing specialist, as he was unstoppable at a recent practice in getting to the quarterback.

“I’m trying to push others, be a good leader,” Llantero said. “I want to be more vocal. I just want to continue to improve and make an impact.”

Expect to see Ben Garry patrolling the secondary, having knocked down a handful of passes last season, while recovering a fumble.

As dynamic as the Breakers’ defense was in allowing just 92 points in their seven wins, they were torched for 141 points in their three losses – all to playoff-bound programs.

“Sometimes it’s just obvious,” Gray said. “You play teams that are better than you and they’ll have their way with you. The seven wins were games where we did a great job of preparation. We tackled well.”